Arsenal Silences Doubters with 2-0 Victory Over Leicester: Five Key Takeaways from the Match

 By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Given their attacking injury crisis, some pundits didn't give Arsenal a chance of winning against relegation-threatened Leicester (who were at full strength).

But this lot were left disappointed as a spirited cameo appearance by Mikel Merino saw Arsenal beat Leicester 2-0.

These are the key takeaways:

-Academy stars Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis Skelly performances were pivotal to the win.

Lewis Skelly’s back post defending stopped a Leicester goal before he was subbed off and Nwaneri provided a gorgeous cross for Mikel Merino to break the deadlock.

But that wasn't all. He enjoyed five out of five successful take-ons and won all eight of his duels. 

He also won two tackles and struck the bar and woodwork with two excellent shots from outside the area. He was also a threat in the final third with four shots and six dribbles.

- Odegaard was way below bar in the first half but stepped it up in the second  carrying the team with numerous sprints and exceptional passing. He has to start games much better though.

- The Arsenal left-back position is in safe hands, as was clear versus Leicester. Lewis Skelly continued his resurgence with a classy performance, but so did Riccardo Calafiori. 

The Italian fullback's cameo was full of purpose, intensity, and quality. Long gone are the days when the left-back position was a source of concern.

- Raheem Sterling really struggled. Despite having a lot of the ball in dangerous areas, that spark wasn't there. 

He has been like this in all his Arsenal appearances so far looking really out of his depth. He is not even fit to play for a league one team and Arteta shouldn't contemplate starting him again.

- Merino the saviour!

Mikel Arteta's decision to start Merino as a false 9 next weekend versus West Ham and drop Sterling will not be questioned. The Spanish midfielder has shown that he can get in the right positions and put that ball in the back of the net.

- That win means Arsenal are unbeaten in 15 Premier League games in a row, their longest streak since April 2011 under Arsene Wenger.

The Premier League title race is on; Liverpool will not sleep easy tonight. The pressure is on them.

Up next for our Gunners is a London derby clash with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal are yet to lose this season in the league.